When 89-year-old Robert “Bob” Casciato passed away, the community of
Oakland, and Panther Hollow in particular, lost one of its most outstanding
residents. Bob was a fearless advocate for human rights who never hesitated
to defend the dignity of his family and community.

Our Mayor often talks with pride about his Italian immigrant roots.
Bob was also proud of his Italian roots, and would relate how in the
late 1880s his father came to Pittsburgh from Pizzaferrato, Italy, and
owned one of the first homes in Panther Hollow. Our Mayor often talks with
pride about his Italian immigrant roots. Bob was also proud of his Italian
roots, and would relate how in the late 1880s his father came to Pittsburgh
from Pizzaferrato, Italy, and owned one of the first homes in Panther
Hollow.

More importantly, Bob took action to protect and preserve his heritage.
In the 1970s, University of Pittsburgh administrators attempted to turn
nearly half of the neighborhood into a parking lot for exclusive use
by students, faculty, and staff. Mr. Casciato and others in the neighborhood
successfully fought this intrusion and curtailed the expansion of the
University, thus preserving a large area of green space for community
use. His efforts continued, despite being told by a University Vice Chancellor
“Never,” when he asked the question “When will the University’s expansion
in Oakland end?”

One Oakland organization executive nicknamed Oakland’s past the “Wild
West” in reference to students terrorizing the community. Mr. Casciato
was not intimidated and, when the need arose, bravely confronted drunken
students and called 911 to report the disturbances. He and his family
suffered consequences as a result. Their car was keyed and tires slashed,
feces were thrown into their yard, their dog was poisoned, and their
cats were stolen. Unfortunately, these indignities continued. One month
before Mr. Casciato passed away, drunken students were walking on the
flat roof of his home and loudly using profane language in the middle
of the night. Unable to get out of bed, Mr. Casciato’s son had to confront
the drunken intruders.

Bob had a dream of beautifying the roadways leading into and out of
Panther Hollow, which would have been of great benefit to the neighborhood,
the city, and the bicyclists who use these bike trail roadways daily.
The University and others turned a deaf ear to that request. Perhaps
this new city administration will, in the future, make Bob’s dream a
reality.

Individuals like Mr. Casciato inspire our grassroots movement to strive
with greater determination and conviction to create a new beginning for
the community of Oakland. Although Mr. Casciato never had his name placed
on a building, or was given recognition or awards by the media or other
organizations, he was for many of us a true champion and hero, who made
our neighborhood and the city of Pittsburgh a better place to live, with
harm to none.